With a few trade tips, the insulated cooler you rely on to keep food and drinks cold during the warmer months can be just as essential for outdoor winter activities. In fact, the insulation that keeps items cold in the summer can be just as effective at keeping them warm in the winter.
For winter use, instead of adding ice to keep your cooler contents cold, you’ll need to add heat to keep food warm. Maintaining the cooler’s warmth is crucial, as food that cools down can become a breeding ground for bacteria. To enjoy a piping-hot home-cooked meal in cold weather, here are some steps you can take:
Top Tips for Preparing Your Cooler for Cold Weather Activities:
- Use a high-quality cooler with thicker insulation capable of retaining heat. Check the ice retention claims on the cooler — if the claims indicate multi-day ice retention, the cooler can also be used to keep foods warm longer. Titan Coolers are a great example, featuring Deep Freeze™ Performance Insulation with a radiant heat barrier.
- Start with a warm cooler that has been stored indoors for at least a day before your trip.
- Preheating your cooler is a simple step that can make a big difference when keeping food warm. Titan Zipperless™ Coolers feature a durable HardBody® liner that allows you to safely preheat the interior by filling it with warm tap water and letting it sit for about 30 minutes. Once warmed, discard the water, dry the cooler thoroughly, and load it with your warm food. Avoid using boiling water, as excessive heat can warp the interior or damage the insulation. If your cooler does not have a HardBody® liner, you can still preheat it by placing sealed hot water bottles or tightly closed containers inside the cooler for a short time, then removing them before adding food.
- Line your cooler with aluminum foil to add an extra layer of insulation.
- Surround your food with insulated water bottles filled with hot water. Replenish the hot water in the bottles throughout your trip whenever possible.
- Keep food as hot as possible until you are ready to add it to the cooler.
- Wrap food in towels to retain heat and prevent heated containers from damaging your cooler.
- Fill air spaces in the cooler with towels, cardboard, or crumpled newspaper to add insulation and prevent heat from escaping.
Tips for Keeping Your Cooler Warm in Cold Weather:
- Minimize how often you open the cooler to retain heat longer.
- Keep the cooler firmly closed.
- Cover the cooler with an insulated or heavy blanket to reduce direct exposure to cold temperatures.
How to Use Your Cooler to Keep Beverages from Freezing
Another useful function of an insulated cooler in the winter is preventing beverages from freezing — especially keeping beer or soda cans from exploding due to expansion caused by freezing liquids. To prevent drinks from freezing in your cooler, make sure they aren’t completely covered in ice. Then, use layers. Just as layering helps keep your body warm, it can also help keep drinks from freezing. Wrap beverages in insulating layers and pack them carefully inside your cooler. Titan Coolers are perfect for this, with insulation designed to maintain temperature longer.
How to Use Your Cooler to Keep Clothing and Gear Dry
Insulated coolers are also ideal for storing and keeping your outdoor gear dry while doing winter sports such as snowmobiling or skiing. Titan Backpack Coolers are a great hands-free option, capable of holding an extra set of dry clothes, cameras, or other gear that could be ruined if wet or cold.
For ice fishing, a Titan Coolers can even help keep bait from freezing.
So, get that summer cooler out of storage and let it do dual duty this winter, helping you get the most enjoyment out of your cold-weather outdoor adventures. After each use, remember to clean and dry your cooler and store it in a cool, dry place to ensure it lasts for many seasons.
